There are a lot of ways to get text from your computer to your Android device, but perhaps none of them are quite so simple as the new Belt.io app and service. Simply install the app on your phone and you can send text and links from the web service after signing up. Naturally Belt.io also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, so you don't even have to go to the website to use the service.

The browser extensions also tie in with the Android app, sending any selected link or text directly to your Android phone and giving it an optional notification as well. In an excellent example of a developer using the UI tools available, the app uses Android's expanded notifications to allow users to open a link directly, copy text immediately to the clipboard, or share it via the standard share menu. The Belt.io website includes a basic invite function that lets you share with friends, but it's only using email addresses at the time being - a tie-in with Google+ and Facebook would make it a lot more useful.

Text clipped to your Belt.io account is visible across all devices and browsers, and there's an app available on iOS as well. (We have analytics, folks - we know that a considerable number of you are reading this on an iPad.) One final note: I don't see any mention of security or encryption on the Belt.io site or app description, so your password might be the only thing protecting the text you send. It's probably a good idea not to send sensitive information on Belt.io, at least for the time being.

Michael is a native Texan and a former graphic designer. He's been covering technology in general and Android in particular since 2011. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

Speaking of UI, am I the only one who is tired of the hipster-ish look of these kind of apps? The cursive font, overly white background, extreme focus on looks over functionalities, etc...you can smell the Macbook from opening the app (No offense to Macbook owners).

http://zmyaro.com/ Gamer_Z.

I will say I would rather have functionality over looks if I had to pick one, but since Pushbullet has both and Belt.io is lacking in both, Belt.io does not stand a chance in its current form.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Well, there are a few differences.

For one, it's compatible with iOS. Also, and this is what I really want PushBullet to implement; "- Automatically copy items to the clipboard on receive (must be enabled in the settings)."

Some people may prefer these benefits over PushBullet, though I'm going to suggest the latter to the dev and hope they implement this as a setting.

Taco Monster

But PushBullet also lets you push links, pictures and files, not all of which need to (or even can) be copied onto the clipboard. Seems like it would be tricky.

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Yeah, there are some UX issues to work out. But Chrome 2 Phone spoiled me with the similar auto copy to clipboard ability. I've been waiting for it ever since.

http://www.LOVEanon.org/ Michael Oghia (Ogie)

Thanks Artum! I just downloaded PushBullet instead.

יואב שטרנברג

I've built app like this one called copy 'n paste, but it didn't released :(
The problem with this auto-sync app that you don't ALWAYS wait for text, so the sync waste your battery for nothing 99% of the time.

lbrfabio

It uses push notifications (like gmail). It's not always on

יואב שטרנברג

Gmail sync is always on....

lbrfabio

Push notifications != always on

יואב שטרנברג

Think of that, Something should run (run = waste battery) to make the push notification (send request to server to check if new text).

wickets

Living in the 20th century I use gtasks or any.do for cut and paste across devices :)..... Will have to try belt.io Thanks for the info

MeCampbell30

I'm currently using Google keep for this purpose but logging in via two step is a pain on foreign computers. I will check this out.

kamiller42

I can do this all this with Firefox Sync and Fox to Phone add-on on desktop: links, clipboard text, images, etc. Guess nice to have more options.

Paul Taylor

If you have Chrome sync switched on at both ends, you can view "other devices" on your phone or simply add the URL of your choice as a bookmark at either end and see it instantly at the other end. Obviously many more options if you use apps and Chrome extensions, but that method works out of the box so to speak.